Sutton police chief halts alleged bank robbery attempt

Four people were arrested Thursday morning after the police chief interrupted what appeared to be an attempt to rob the Bank of America on Route 146 north.

The four are being held on $5,000 cash bail pending arraignment in Uxbridge District Court on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, armed robbery, attempting to commit armed robbery and possession of crack cocaine and heroin.

According to Lt. David Perry, Chief Dennis Towle, who was driving an unmarked police car, spotted a suspicious 2003 Ford Taurus parked on Pleasant Valley Road behind the Bank of America shortly before 11 a.m.

Chief Towle intercepted a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt, with a baseball cap pulled low over his face, who was walking in and out of the woods behind the bank.

The man, Christopher Cummings, 33, of 523 Mechanic St., Apt. 5, Leominster, was startled by the chief, according to Lt. Perry, and he dropped an object he had concealed behind him. Lt. Perry said the object was not a weapon, but was intended to look like one if pointed from the sweatshirt pocket.

Chief Towle called for backup, including the police dog team that investigated the woods where Mr. Cummings had been walking.

Police found three people in possession of narcotics in the Taurus. The driver, Paul Vitone, 41, of 106 Cedar St., Clinton, told police he was in the area to pick up Mr. Cummings. He and two passengers, Sarah Dawn Rockel, 36, of 3 Willow St., Clinton, and Monica L. Latulippe, 29, of 106 Cedar St., Apt. 1, Clinton, were taken to the police station along with Mr. Cummings for booking. Mr. Vitone was also charged with speeding.